The Episcopal Church has held an ongoing debate regarding gay clergy for decades and began ordaining openly gay priests in the ‘90s, a gay bishop in 2003 and a lesbian bishop in 2010, but the issue of homosexuality continues to elicit debate.

Individual rectors will get to choose whether to offer the new rites for same-sex couples—if approved—at their congregations.

“While I long for the day when there will be full marriage equality in the Church and in the State, I consider this a very important step in that process,” said the Rev. Lisa Hunt, rector at St. Stephens, in a letter to parishioners. “St. Stephen’s has an opportunity to witness to the action of God in our midst in the lives of couples in our community.”

The Episcopal Church has NEVER held an ongoing debate regarding gay clergy for decades and began SURREPTITIOUSLY ordaining USUALLY NOT openly gay priests in the ‘90s, UNTIL THE OPENLY gay bishop in 2003 AGAINST THE PROTEST OF THE PRIMATES OF THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION and FURTHER a lesbian bishop in 2010, SO the issue of homosexuality continues to elicit debate HAVING BEEN FORCED UPON THE cHURCH.

What a shame for all sitting in the pews who will be led to believe that this is all “fair” because after all it is about “marriage equality” [which no one will question…..what is that?] and that it is all about “rights”.

There are no “rights” in the Church, there is only obedience to the Word of God…......something that will be lacking in those churches who follow this path.

My guess is that Rev Hunt will register the blessing of a same-sex union as a marraige in the annual report. Bishop Doyle may have found a solution to the 41 percent decline in Marraiges between 2002 and 2010. And then, maybe not!! Statmann